seasonsrpg | march catch-all.

[ kaveh was starting to feel a little off. he couldn't quite put his finger on it, but for all intents and purposes he was starting to feel weaker, which didn't really make much sense. it's not like he had done all that much in the past few days. certainly nothing labor intensive! so why?! he tried a half dozen thins to try to alleviate the feeling but nothing seemed to help. ]

[ he had found a small shop boasting an assortment of home remedies, so of course he got conned into buying some. however, on his way out he heard a couple talking about touch, and how it seemed to have an influence on things here. it sounded ridiculous, but it couldn't be anymore ridiculous than a mix of lavender, chili peppers, and... lemon. ]

[ maybe he shouldn't have bought this stuff... ]

[ nevertheless, he quickly hurried home, fully intending to put what he had just learned to the test. ] Alhaitham, are you here? Or did you run off to the library again...[ he drops his key into the small dish by the door and heads inside. ]

Here.

[ As always, he very helpfully doesn't specify where 'here' is in the apartment, but it doesn't take much of a search to follow the sound of his voice and find him seated in a comfortable (or at least as comfortable as they were able to find) chair by the window, book in hand. This particular one appears to be about the regional traits of the Autumn segment. ]

[ it's not too hard to find him, since the apartment isn't that big. as he enters the room he lets his satchel of nonsense slid off his shoulder and onto the floor. he crosses the room, his mind racing with all the different approaches he could take... but when he reaches alhaitham he settles for setting a hand on the page of the book he's reading and pressing it down to try to force him to make eye contact. ]

How are you feeling? [ yes, #nailed it. ]

[ Kaveh, please, they both know which is the stronger person among them. ]

[ Still, damaging books is something he sincerely tries to avoid, so he lowers the book per Kaveh's force, gaze shifting up toward the strangely very close man. ]

I was in a decent mood two seconds ago but it's been inexplicably ruined.

[ Guess why. ]

It has not. Don't be so dramatic. [ says drama queen numero uno. ] I meant in general. Are you feeling weird or anything? [ he removes his hand from the book. ] We did just get whisked away to a strange and faraway land... [ don't mind him casually trying to drag an answer out of him. ]

[ He lets his eyes fall shut for a moment, to block out the visual sensation of Kaveh being so close and refocusing his mind on the question that Kaveh is undoubtedly leading with. ]

Uncharacteristically sluggish and stiff. No amount of stretching or light exercise has relived the sensation.

Yourself?

[ Because Kaveh wouldn't be asking this sort of thing if he wasn't feeling weird himself. ]

[ kaveh bites the inside of his cheek in anticipation. oh... oh no. so it seems like they're both suffering from this affliction. ] Similarly. Lethargic and unusually tense. [ could the solution really be as simple as... touch. somehow, he doubts it, but everything he's tried so far has failed to alleviate the discomfort. ] I didn't know if it was just me or...

It must be this place. I bet the answers are in here. [ he knows that's probably not true, but this was the first plan he could think of. he reaches to take alhaitham's book, though he really means to brush his hands with alhaitham's. contact is contact, so it should do a little something. ]

[ even the subtlest of contact overloads his senses with an immensely euphoric sensation. it lasts for but a second, but his face starts coloring red as he yanks the book out of his hands and shoves it up against his face. ]

[ he's reading he swears. ]

O- Oh, would you, would you look at that. It's all right h- here.

Ka-

[ He starts to say the other man's name in warning-- while the book isn't a rare or old one by any means, it had been borrowed from the library and he still felt a responsibility to take the utmost care of it. ]

[ Except all thoughts about proper book care go out the window at the almost literally spark between them. As someone who tends to avoid any sort of overstimulation himself, Alhaitham visibly flinches his arm away at the spike of. Joy?? That stings through his hand, a sensation he most certainly has never associated with such a thing before. ~~What the hell is joy can you eat it~~ ]

[ He can also immediately tell that the sluggish and stiff feeling that'd been spreading through his body has lessened. It's more than obvious he was the subject of an experiment on Kaveh's part, but the other man hadn't expected such a result. ]

[ Well if they were going to be experimenting, then it was only to be expected that Alhaitham put forward a thesis as well, wasn't it? ]

Kaveh. That book is about the regional traits of the Autumn segment. Perhaps you require a closer look at it to realize that.

[ That's more or less the only warning Kaveh gets before Alhaitham's fingers are pressing against the back of Kaveh's hands, braced for that euphoric feeling this time as he uses it to press the book closer toward his face. ]

[ it's hard to miss alhaitham's peculiar reaction, because he's never as animated as him. dammit, that couple he had eavesdropped on had been on to something; touch is the key! kaveh's stomach knots, because while it's great to have found the answer to his question this is simultaneously a good and a bad thing. he doesn't get nearly enough time to give it some thought, because alhaitham's comment about the book's content brings that train to a halt. ]

Huh? Are you- [ kaveh blinks, about to refocus his eyes and give the page his full attention, so he can refute that in a desperate attempt to save face, but the book is quickly shoved straight into his face. ]

[ as annoyed as he'd like to... he's thankful, because now his burning red face is completely hidden. the contact is almost too much, especially since it's been days. ] Alhaitham. I, I think that, [ he clears his throat, buying himself some time, but his voice cracks a little. ] ...you're right.

[ kaveh takes a small step back, so he can free his face from the book, which he promptly snaps shut. ] I heard a couple talking about this earlier. [ he capture's alhaitham's wrist and drags his hand closer, nuzzling his cheek against his hopefully open palm. ] About how touch is an anchor and a power.

[ What Alhaitham had been braced for was the shock of sensation to run through the tips of his fingers and up his arm, in a concentrated, controlled amount that would help him gauge the effects on his own body and roughly the amount necessary to completely dispel this uncomfortable feeling that had been growing in his body. ]

[ What he got instead was Kaveh pressing his full palm against his cheek, turning that startling but tempered feeling into a full blast of sensation through his body because of course Kaveh would ruin his unspoken experimentation like this. ]

[ Of course. ]

[ It's nearly overwhelming, enough so it drags a soft grunt out of him, another breakage in that perfect(ly annoying) shell if inexpression he normally has and his fingers twitch against Kaveh's face. But he doesn't pull away, not yet, because even this is an experiment worth seeing through to the end. ]

[ His own voice falters for a moment, probably imperceptibly so unless you know him well enough. ]

I didn't expect that hearing you admit as much would feel so good.

[ Because of course he wouldn't attribute it immediately to touching Kaveh ]

So we were drifting, to play off the anchor metaphor. What did you hear about it being a power?

[ kaveh snorts, amused ( but not surprised ) that alhaitham would avoid admitting that it had been the touch to break his façade. does he think it necessary to run a couple more tests, because, if so, kaveh is more than happy to help. he smirks as he tightens his grip on his roommate's hand, eyes becoming lidded as he turns his head to press a kiss to the center of his palm. ]

Hm? What was that?

[ he heard him, but he wants to hear him, see him, break. ]

It gives us the 'strength' we need to be able to use the abilities of this world.

[ Kaveh???? ]

[ The brief widening of his eyes is more than perceptible at this short distance between them and he hates that because he knows Kaveh will notice that crack in his usual shell. ]

[ But also what the hell Kaveh, was this touch thing going straight to his head? He'd understand it if so, he could feel himself getting lightly the longer Kaveh holds onto him, but he forces his way through it, concentrating on the man in front of him. Which may be helping or hurting, it'd hard to tell as the fluff in his head expands. ]

It appears to have given you the strength to behave more aggressively than usual. I never would have even dreamed you'd be willing to do something like kiss any part of me.

[ oh. oh. alhaitham will feel kaveh smirk against his palm, because he definitely saw him start to crack. he knows he shouldn't push his luck, but he can't help but crave more, since it's so unusual to see him emote so blatantly like this. there are the small things, the subtle things, but most people don't notice those. kaveh does, of course, but that's only because they've not only known each other for a long time, but because they also spend so much time together. ]

Aggressively? [ rolls his eyes. ] Really? I think I'm being rather... tame. [ kaveh chuckles, but it's quick to taper, but w- wait what? ] Are you, are you serious? [ he lets his hand go and sits up. ] ... [ well, ok, perhaps it's not too farfetched an assumption to make given all the arguing they do, but... b- but... ]

[ kaveh averts his eyes as his face colors pink. ] That's not the least bit true.

[ Alhaitham is always serious, that's his secret- ]

[ He'll use that hand on Kaveh's cheek, hooking his thumb under his chin to turn his head back to facing Alhaitham. The gesture is forceful, not enough to hurt, but enough to definitely make him meet his eyes once more. SOMEONE decided to make this an extremely intimate encounter and he's not about to be the one to pull out of it without getting answers to the new questions he has in mind. ]

Which part, Kaveh?

[ oh shit. ]

[ mistakes were made.
he should have kept his mouth shut.
now what?!
he can't just... confess.
n- no. don't use that word.
there's nothing TO confess.
it's just the touch thing being a little too overwhelming.
yeah, yeah, he can work with that. ]

...ah, that one part. [ you know the one! ]

[ he laughs, feeling somewhat delirious, because of course alhaitham would find a way to turn the tables! and not only that, but he also can't lie to alhaitham when he's being made to look at him!! ]

I think you're right, Alhaitham, all of this touching has gone to my head. I'm, I'm not thinking clearly. [ not it's a lie, but it's not the truth either. ] But, c'mon, [ he should quit while he's ahead. he should quit while he's ahead. ] who wouldn't want to, right, ..?

[ Finally, finally, Alhaitham moves to stand up from his chair, which makes the space between them uncomfortably smaller since he gives Kaveh no room to really back up. Instead, he continues to use that hand on Kaveh's face to pull him up closer so he can see up close that infuriatingly smug smile form on Alhaitham's face while any other emotion has been very carefully tucked away for this brief moment. ]

What a shame, Kaveh. I was looking forward to your answer.

[ And then he's finally breaking the contact, both letting Kaveh go and stepping away to pick up the empty mug on the table and head for the kitchen. Definitely not escaping himself, trying to clear out that far-too-pleasant fog in his head and get a hold of reason before he was also swept away with... whatever that emotion was. ]

[ And before he and Kaveh did something either of them might regret later. That... was one of the last things Alhaitham would want to do. ]

You're right about it being energizing. I feel like going for a jog.

[ Says the man who absolutely does not go out for casual jogs. ]

[ kaveh swears he could expire on the spot. he feels like he's on fire, and the embers kindling in his gut only grow more and more intense the closer alhaitham draws. another laugh comes, but this one is a result of just how nervous he's become. he'd kick himself were he thinking straight, but the haze in his head is just too much. his eyes drop to alhaitham's lips momentarily. that stupid smug smile...! oh, how he'd love to kiss it right off his fa- wait a minute, n- no! nonononono. ]

[ he can't believe this conversation has taken all of these twists and turns. kaveh doesn't move to stop alhaitham from leaving for the kitchen, but he's tensed and poised as though he might try. another minute later and he's trailing after him. ] What do you mean? Were you hoping I would say something specific?

A... A jog?? What?! Now!! [ he shakes his head and reaches for him. ] No, absolutely not, you can't just... we're still in the middle of a conversation! [ he knows he's got nothing on alhaitham, and if he wanted to he could easily take his hand back, but kaveh's not going to give up that easily. ]

I... I, uhm, I think I'm starting to feel faint again. [ getting closer. kind of. ] And that means you can't leave.

[ Alhaitham was absolutely not about to go on a jog of any sort, but a walk to get himself some fresh air had been a consideration of his. Both he and Kaveh had been pretty clearly overcome with that foreign euphoric feeling and needed some time to get control over themselves again. ]

[ Except Kaveh was following him and getting right back into his personal space and now they were holding hands and that fluff was reentering his head. ]

[ If he didn't know any better he might think Kaveh was doing this on purpose because he'd gotten addicted to the sensation. ]

[ Knowing better meant he knew Kaveh was just being his impulsive, hot-headed self. ]

Was kissing my hand not enough touch for you? Or perhaps, is it that you're the one touching me, so I've been getting the majority of the energy created from this?

[ Please, he's trying so hard to keep his mind about him. ]

[ as soon as he’s gotten a hold of alhaitham’s hand, kaveh moves in closer, his grip tightening as a means of making it that much harder for him to break free. ] My answer! [ he blurts out suddenly. ] Don’t you want to hear it? [ a little late, sure, but he’s hoping it’s still enough to cull alhaitham’s curiosity, because he can’t think of anything else enticing enough to make him stay. ] Not you, but… me. Maybe I’ve dreamed about it.

[ kaveh doubts it matters who initiated the contact, but he could use this to his advantage. ] Maybe, but if it IS true, then you have to help me out. I did plenty for you, so… so now it’s your turn, it’s your turn to kiss me. [ it’s bold, sure, but he’s edging on desperate and he doesn’t care about anything but their shared contact and how mind numbingly great it feels. but, not only that, he also can’t sort through all of these complicated feelings on his own!!! ]

Alhaitham.

[ Well. It's official. ]

[ Kaveh is drunk/high on touch emotions. ]

[ And he's very much trying to drag Alhaitham over that cliff with him, akin to what a drunken Kaveh is like when he wants company in his inebriated state. That's his take on this entire situation, at least. ]

[ So, much like the way he normally treats a drunken Kaveh, Alhaitham has no issues at all using that held hand to raise up Kaveh's and force him back, against the nearest bare wall. Nowhere to run or hide or escape, not without calling Mehrak out to assist. He leans in close as well, to force Kaveh's attention on him and not wherever his mind is racing to in this state. ]

You can tell me your answer when you're sober, if you can work up the nerve to then.

[ It's awkwardly done, not like Alhaitham has a habit of doing this kind of thing, but he leans in to press a kiss against Kaveh's head, just over his eyebrow and just long enough that the other man can't make any complaints about it being too short or not firm enough to count as touch or whatever ridiculous counterarguments he might try to come up with. ]

Now pull yourself together.

[ kaveh doesn't know if all of this is a result of ellipsa's strange anchoring effects, but he's not going to admit that there's a chance it could be because of all of the repressed and buried feelings he has for alhaitham. it just has to be the former! since he's never felt quite this touch starved, and even the slightest bit of contact is enough to send him spiraling into something akin to a drunken stupor. ]

[ it feels so good, but a part of him wonders if any contact could provide him with these feelings... but that has him circling back to alhaitham and no! nope! not a chance! ]

[ but kaveh finds that it's hard to deny the possibility as alhaitham cages him in, erasing almost all of the space in between them. ] Ah-! [ he swears he can feel his heart beating in his ears, his cheeks heating up and coloring a deep, dark red. ] But I, a- and you, ... [ he should quit while he's ahead. ]

[ kaveh shuts his eyes and bites his lip, trying not to make a sound when alhaitham kisses him, but he's unsuccessful, and ends up mewling in frustration. he's doing this on purpose! he's being a tease to drive him insane! but he loves it as much as he hates it, so he finds himself grabbing at alhaitham's front to try to keep him from moving away. ]

Alright... [ and then he tugs him into a proper kiss, one fueled by tension and feelings and about half a dozen other things. ] All of you. I don't need to be sober to admit that. [ it's just easier to do so when he's high on touch fumes. ]

march catch-all.

march 7th 🏛️🌱 their shared apartment.

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